Al Shaqab Racing continued its impressive series of wins in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend, held under Qatari sponsorship represented by the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC).
Following the two Group 1 PA titles landed by their runners at Saint Cloud on Friday, excellence continued with Nour Al Maury (Azadi x Nectarina Al Maury) carrying Al Shaqab Racing to a third victory in less than 24 hours when the Thomas Fourcy-trained filly took the Group 1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Juments with Olivier Peslier in the saddle at ParisLongchamp on Saturday. Khalifa bin Mohamed al-Attiyah QREC, Board Member, presented the trophies to the winners.
QREC delegation was present on the race day at ParisLongchamp and led by Issa bin Mohamed al-Mohannadi, QREC Chairman, who crowned the winners of the Qatar Prix du Cadran (Group I) and the Qatar Prix de Royallieu (Group I).
The delegation included QREC Board Member Khalifa bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, QREC Acting CEO Bader Mohamed al-Darwish, Racing Manager Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi – who crowned the winners of the Qatar Prix De La Place De La Concorde, Director of Support Services Department Ahmed Amanalla al-Sheebani – who crowned the winners of the Qatar Prix De La Place Des Vosges, Director of Public Relations and External Communications Dr Nasser Ahmed al-Hamar – who crowned the winners of the Gr 2 Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein and the winners of the Gr 2 Qatar Prix Dollar, Director of Marketing Salem Khejaim al-Adbi – who crowned the winners of the opening race, the Gr 2 Qatar Prix Chaudenay, Adviser to QREC Chairman Sami Jassim al-Boenain and Director of the QREC CEO Office Saoud Hamad al-Hababi.
Saturday’s win at Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Juments, for 4YO fillies, was the Nour Al Maury’s fourth straight Group 1 PA victory. Trained by Thomas Fourcy, the Purebred Arabian filly was sent off the short-priced favourite. The four-year-old was an excellent winner on her three previous starts and showed huge ability when beating top class mare Lady Princess (General) earlier this year.
With Olivier Peslier in the saddle, Nour Al Maury was prominent behind the leader of the 2,000m contest. Forced to switch wide at the beginning of the home straight after leader Casbar Meteora (Nieshan) got injured, Nour Al Maury was quickly able to get back on terms to win a shade cosily. Gorat Aeen (Azadi) ran a stormer in second in the colours of HE Sheikha Reem bint Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani for trainer F Rohaut and jockey Maxime Guyon. The second favourite, Ghadah (Azadi), who was another representative of Al Shaqab Racing took third for the winning trainer and jockey Faleh Bughenaim
Bred by Mlle Renee-Laure Koch, Nour Al Maury is out of Nectarina Al Maury (Jalnar Al Khalidiah). Speaking after the race, the winning jockey Peslier said: “I had a good race but the two horses in front of me completely stopped. I didn’t feel comfortable but I took my time and I knew she was able accelerate again from this incident. I wish they went a stronger gallop as she would have benefited from it but she won and she is very talented”
Meanwhile, French-trained three-year-old Double Major (Daiwa Major) who took the Group 2 Qatar Prix De Chaudenay. Sporting the silks of famous owner Wertheimer & Frere, Double Major was having his second start at group level. Having finished second on a few occasions, the Christophe Ferland trained - showed real consistency to score a first Group 2 success. Ridden by Maxime Guyon, Double Major tracked the early leader Kahraman (Shamalgan) throughout the 3,000m contest. Travelling well into the straight, Double Major pulled clear to win by three quarters of a length despite hanging to the far rail of the track. The held up Harbour Wind (Nathaniel) ran on well for second while Shembala (Cracksman) took third.
The Group 1 Qatar Prix du Cadran went the way of the superb stayer Trueshan (Planteur) who ran out the wide margin winner of the €300,000 contest. After an impressive win in the 2021 edition, Trueshan enters in history as the first horse to land this race twice since Westerner in 2003 and 2004.
Sporting the colours of Singula Partnership and trained by Alan King, Trueshan showed once more that he is one of the most talented long distance horses in the world with this impressive success in the 4,000m contest.
A seven-year-old, Trueshan never looked in trouble when able to make all despite the drying ground. With loyal partner Hollie Doyle, the gelding extended his advantage in the straight and stormed clear to win by four lengths over Moon Wolf (Intello) in second, with Run For Oscar (Oscar) heading on for third.
The Winner of the Group 3 Sky Bet Lester Piggott Stakes, the four-year-old Sea Silk Road (Sea The Stars) showed that she had more improvement to come when winning the Group 1 Qatar Prix de Royallieu. After a respectable third in the Gr 1 Qatar Prix Vermeille at ParisLongchamp, the Sunderland Holding Inc-owned filly was stepping up in trip and reversed the form with favourite Melo Melo (Gleneagles) to win the 2,800m Group 1 contest.
Winner of the Group 3 Barriere Prix Quincey at Deauville last month, Poker Face (Fastnet Rock) continued his stellar season by winning the Group 2 Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein. Having won his last two starts, Poker Face is trained by Simon & Ed Crisford, and was ridden by the on-fire Maxime Guyon, who made a hat-trick on day one of Arc weekend.
Pitched into Gr 2 company for the second time and relatively consistent, Poker Face took on ten rivals to land the 1,600m contest.
Unbeaten since stepped up to 2,000m, Horizon Dore landed his second victory at Gr 2 level by winning the Qatar Peix Dollar. Trained by Patrice Cottier, the three-year-old came into the race off the back of four consecutive wins.
The son of Dabirsim was warmly fancied by punters and despite carrying a 3lbs penalty, the Gousserie racing, Ecurie Du Sud Et Al-owned colt won in a smart style.
Partnered by Mickael Barzalona, who was also on board in the Gr 2 Prix Eugene Adam, Horizon Dore was situated towards the rear of the peloton through the opening stages of the race which was taken along by the fast pace setting Jack Darcy (Gleneagles), who finished second.
Angled out in the straight Horizon Dore never looked in danger and found more to get up in the final 100m. Erevann (Dubawi) took the third place.
Bred by Miss C Becq, he is out of Sweet Alabama (Enrique) and a half brother to Gr 3 winner and Gr 1 Placed Cavale Doree (Sunday Break).
Sports
Al Shaqab Racing continues Group 1 PA winning streak Nour Al Maury clinches Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Juments at ParisLongchamp
![Hollie Doyle celebrates after leading Trueshan to Qatar Prix Du Cadran win.
Hollie Doyle celebrates after leading Trueshan to Qatar Prix Du Cadran win.](https://cdn4.premiumread.com/?url=https://gulf-times.com/gulftimes/uploads/images/2023/09/30/83186.jpg&w=800&q=100&f=webp)
Hollie Doyle celebrates after leading Trueshan to Qatar Prix Du Cadran win.
![QREC chairman Issa bin Mohamed al-Mohannadi with the connections of Sea Silk Road, which won the Group 1 Qatar Prix de Royallieu.
QREC chairman Issa bin Mohamed al-Mohannadi with the connections of Sea Silk Road, which won the Group 1 Qatar Prix de Royallieu.](https://cdn4.premiumread.com/?url=https://gulf-times.com/gulftimes/uploads/images/2023/09/30/83187.jpg&w=800&q=100&f=webp)
QREC chairman Issa bin Mohamed al-Mohannadi with the connections of Sea Silk Road, which won the Group 1 Qatar Prix de Royallieu.
![QREC Board Member Khalifa bin Mohamed al-Attiyah presented the trophies to connections of Al Shaqab Racing’s Nour Al Maury, which won the Group 1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Juments at the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Saturday. QREC Board Member Khalifa bin Mohamed al-Attiyah presented the trophies to connections of Al Shaqab Racing’s Nour Al Maury, which won the Group 1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Juments at the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Saturday.](https://cdn4.premiumread.com/?url=https://gulf-times.com/gulftimes/uploads/images/2023/09/30/83188.jpg&w=800&q=100&f=webp)
QREC Board Member Khalifa bin Mohamed al-Attiyah presented the trophies to connections of Al Shaqab Racing’s Nour Al Maury, which won the Group 1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Juments at the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Saturday.
![Jockey Olivier Peslier rides Nour Al Maury to Group 1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Juments win at ParisLongchamp on Saturday. PICTURES: Juhaim Jockey Olivier Peslier rides Nour Al Maury to Group 1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Juments win at ParisLongchamp on Saturday. PICTURES: Juhaim](https://cdn4.premiumread.com/?url=https://gulf-times.com/gulftimes/uploads/images/2023/09/30/83189.jpg&w=800&q=100&f=webp)
Jockey Olivier Peslier rides Nour Al Maury to Group 1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Juments win at ParisLongchamp on Saturday. PICTURES: Juhaim